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Truth be told, Cosette was rather impressed with herself regarding how long she managed to distract the bear. She spent most of her time wandering the center of Felder Territory with the wolves that were unable to go out on hunts and patrols; most of them were expecting dames or simply injured. She continued to move back and forth, snapping her canines at the bear`s legs. Even if she barely managed to actually latch on, she was proud of herself for being able to successfully help Fierce. That was the only thing that mattered at the moment, to be quite honest. Her blue eyes widened a fraction when she saw the bear`s torn flesh falling a few feet away, an odd sense of pride feeling her chest at the small victory. It would seem they were succeeding, thankfully. When she heard Fierce`s words, she pouted quietly beneath her breath; there was no way in hell she was leaving him with this damned bear. Cosette continued until the bear backed off, slowly shifting backwards as her gaze remained fixated on it. Bears were unpredictable, according to her sire, and she was not going to take any chances. Once it had fully retreated, her gaze darted over to Fierce, watching as he collapsed onto the ground. The dame hurried over to him without a second thought, her eyes traveling across his form as she looked for any injuries. She narrowed her eyes at his words, silently contemplating them; he had a point, but she had no idea how badly he was injured. ``Do you think you can walk? We`re not that far from the Felder camp,`` she whispered quietly, her intentions quite clear. Cosette only then realized just how tired she was too, leaning back onto her haunches. Her auricles remained flattened as she peered down at him, frowning whilst her flanks rose and fell with each slightly hurried breath. ``I`m sure they could take a look at you to make sure your wounds aren`t left untreated.`` Herbs had worked wonders in Felder. The healers that had trained themselves and their successors having made quite substantial progress across generations. Cosette silently cursed herself for not paying attention to what they had taught her, frown deepening just a fraction. She lowered her crown to examine a particularly deep-looking wound on his side, concern briefly shifting across her face. The brute had saved her life, but still.. she probably was a lot more worried than she should be.
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"Do you think you can walk?" Fierce's orbs fluttered open, the dames words making him want to focus. How soft her voice was helping the want. Lifting his head, the brute slowly forced his weight back into a standing position. Crimson liquid dripping from his left side and right shoulder as he stood there. Keeping his head lowered, his bright blue gaze looked up at Cosette. "How can you be so sure your pack would be so open to helping me?" He questioned, his auricles laying back against his crown as thw wind blew, peircing his wounds and causing them to sting. The brutes claw curled forward, leaving small holes in the ground beneath him. Closing his eyes, Fierce's weight swayed subtly. His head whirled, his vision making it hard to see straight and stay standing. He knew he needed help, but was too stubborn to want it. A small growl exited his maw as he lifted his head a bit, retraining his gaze onto Cosette. "Take me there.. Before I change my mind." He stated, his tone almost demanding. Albeit he was hurt, so it could pass as an excuse. Flicking his tail back and forth as he limped toward her, Fierce stood, his frame swaying back and forth as his weight shifted. Now awaiting her to move so he could follow. Edited at September 23, 2025 02:53 PM by Speer Ranch
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``You just saved my life,`` Cosette said it in a rather blunt manner, her frown deepening momentarily. She shifted backwards to give him space before she lifted her cranium, eyes darting to and fro. Even if he had injured the bear, there was still a possibility that it would return. A sigh slipped past her maw as she watched him struggle to his paws. She wanted to help him stand, but she felt like he would not appreciate it that much. Her expression brightened when he said he would go with her. She nodded before turning on her heels and beginning to walk onwards. Her pace was slower than it usually was and she tried her best to remain a mere few feet ahead of him just in case he tripped. The terrain was rocky and uneven for the most part, which the fact that Felder was mostly mountainous was to blame. It was incredibly easy to get lost in these parts as well, but Cosette had grown up here; she knew almost every nook and cranny. When they did arrive, Cosette cursed beneath her breath when she saw her sire standing there with an accusatory expression written all over his face. Her gaze shifted to the side as she noticed a few patrollers standing there; it would seem they might have heard the commotion involved with the bear and had alerted him of it. Before she could even say a word, Renier spoke. ``What is the meaning of this?`` his voice was brimming with annoyance and barely concealed frustration, his deep amber eyes flicking between them. The brute stalked forward to nudge Cosette aside, his focus clearly on Fierce solely.
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As Cosette started walking off, Fierce hobbled behind. Keeping up the best that he could. His cranium stayed held low, his auricles flat against his crown. It was obvious that he was hurting, the sounds of soft grunts coming from his maw as followed her. Having a bit of trouble going over the rocks and up the small slopes it took to get to Cosette's pack camp. Though, he sufficed and pushed onward -- knowing he needed it. On their ventures, Fierce thought back to what she had mentioned earlier. How she said how her sire was the alpha of her pack. Meaning she was the heir. This made his mind whirl with thoughts, thoughts of how he could possibly get in good here... But, pain was something that wouldn't be outdone by simplistic thoughts... Fierce let out a small snarl as a sharp pain shot through is side, causing him to stop and his frame to reel backward a bit in pain. As if he was trying to stretch the pain away. Though, it just made it worse. "God damn it.." He snarled lowly at himself, pushing himself forward, continuing to follow the dame through the rocky terrain. It wasn't too much longer that they seemingly came to the packs camp. The scents from earlier becoming alarmingly stronger as they continued to walk. Coming to a halt, he heard a masculine, dominant voice boom through the air. Causing his auricles to perk forward and his head to lift a little to quickly, sending another sharp pain through his side. As he watched Cosette be nudged aside, his audits flicked back against his crown once more. "What a way to..." He trailed off, grunting as he shifted his weight back once more, sitting down onto his haunches. His flanks heaving as the pain pusled throughout his body. "Greet someone who just saved your bloodline.." He growled out, the pain that coursed his obody beginning to become unbearable. Looking toward Cosette, his gaze seemed to plead for her to step in, not knowing how much more energy he could keep hold of. The brute wished he could stand to his full height, show this brute that he wasn't one that could be talked too like that. Though, he knew that wouldn't be happening -- at least not anytime soon. "Don't worry.. I didn't lay a paw on your little Cosette.." He panted out, his front paws sliding across the softened terrain, his shoulders trembling as his frame softly thudded the ground beneath him. The blood that now clung to his fur being slightly covered in the dirt that spattered up from the terrain.
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The dame did not dare utter a word the moment her sire nudged her aside, knowing precisely what would happen if she dared to protest. Unlike other packs that were located nearby, Felder was reputable for one thing and one thing only: the incredibly strict heirarchy and the inability to rise in the ranks unless an unfortunate demise was met in one way or another. Her gaze fixated solely on Fierce when he started to reply to her sire, a frown quickly shifting back onto her face as she realized how much he was struggling to simply say a few words. Truly, she would have spoken up for him if Renier had not been towering over them both. The dark-furred alpha hummed beneath his breath in contemplation as he put the pieces together, sauntering forwards to circle Fierce a few times. Renier paused once he was face-to-face with him again before focusing on Cosette. There was a silent question in his gaze, one requesting confirmation that the stranger was telling the truth and not making up lies. ``Sire, I was going through the borders of Felder when I stumbled upon Fierce,`` Cosette began, leaning back onto her haunches so she could sit down. A few of the pack members had started to stir due to the commotion, most of them large and well-built; she definitely looked like the odd-one-out compared to them, which made sense given her dam had been the same way. ``We were talking when the bear emerged from the foliage and he risked his life to save me.`` It was deathly quiet for a few moments ensuing her words, numerous murmurs spreading throughout the clearing. Renier eventually sighed heavily, his crown lowering just a tad whilst he turned on his heels; Cosette knew what that meant, so she simply walked up to Fierce and gently nudged him with her muzzle to try and encourage him to follow him. She was patient as she walked alongside him, her pawsteps gentle and slow. When they finally reached the healers, they were already gathering the needed herbs for his wounds; word clearly spread quickly in Felder.. which was not surprising when her sire ruled with an iron fist. Cosette moved aside and settled down into a laying position as the healers did their thing, but only once they recieved his permission of course.
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Fierce's auricles perked forward once more as the sound of Cosette's voice peirced through the air. Her feminine, angelic sounding tone seemingly calming the storm that ravaged his mind -- only for a moment -- why though? It's not as if he had any kind of feelings for the dame. Perhaps she has powers. He humored himself in his mind, causing a hidden upward turn of his lips for only a moment. Though, as the area fell silent once more, and the dark large alpha sighed, turning on his heels and walking away, Fierce's pain shot up through his large frame once more. His shoulders trembling as he moved to stand as Cosette nudged him. As the made their way to what he assumed was their medic den, he looked over at Cosette. "Thank you.." He muttered out, just loud enough for her to hear. His voice still hoarse sounding. Entering the medic den, the brute practically collasped after getting inside. His crania laying between his front paws as his auricles flattened to his crown once more. His tail laid out behind him. "Do what you must... I'd like to be rid of this pain." Fierce knew he could be a bit nicer, though he truly didn't care too much at the moment as he was in substantial pain. "This will sting..." "If this hurts, you must tell us..." "Does this feel better?" The brute ignored all of the words said, questions asked and statements told to him. He just wanted them to do their damn jobs, then leave him the hell alone. How hard was that? It took the medic about an hour to clean up all of his wounds and patch them, then give him some kind of herb to help with the pain. That's when he finally got some more peace. Peace that he had before Cosette had drawn his attention. Though, he was grateful. Who knew what that bear would have done to him in his sleep. Looking over at her, he'd stay silent for a moment before lifting his head from the ground. "I thought for sure your father was going to tell me to suck it up and get the fuck out." He rambled off rather abruptly with a dry laugh. "I'm sure glad he didn't though.." He added, perking his auricles forward as he laid his head back down, this time onto his paws. "I'm sure you have somewhere a lot more comfortable to be lying, you can go if you wish." Fierce mentioned, not wanting her to be uncomfortble.
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Cosette watched the interactions unfold between Fierce and the healers, her blue eyes gradually transitioning from one canine to another. At times, she had to bite her glossa to prevent herself from pitching in and telling them to be mote gentle; it wasn`t like she was supposed to be fretting so much over a stranger. She figured he was utterly exhausted given how much strength he had utilized to fend off the bear, but she still dreaded how much pain he probably was in.. and all because of her in a way. Cosette had a suspicion that if she voiced it aloud-- her guilt, to be exact-- he would probably dismiss it immediately. After all, the bear was a bear; they had no control over whatever the hell it decided to do. Truthfully, the dame nearly fell asleep a few times due to the quiet and somewhat intimate atmosphere, her formerly tense build more relaxed now. ``I thought for sure your father was going to tell me to suck it up and get the fuck out.`` His words snapped Cosette out of her stupor, her eyes widening just a tad in surprise. The brute had been quiet and non-responsive for the most part, so much so she suspected he had either drifted off into sleep or he was trapped within his own head. She couldn`t help but give him a minuscule smile, ears lowering in an indication of her current relaxed state. She flicked her tassel so it draped across her paws before she replied softly, ``He is not as harsh as others make him out to be, but.. even I am surprised. It is odd for him to trust strangers so willingly.`` Cosette knew precisely why her sire was so tense with strangers: her dam. She barely remembered the she-wolf that had always taken care of her back then; Aurellia was a name that was respected yet also eternally mourned. Her sire never liked talking about what had happened, yet she had eventually found out from one of the older members of Felder. Supposedly, a group of lone wolves had claimed that they needed shelter and that the place they originated from had burned to ashes; it was easy to believe given the rampant thunderstorms at the time. The lone wolves had launched an attack on Felder at night and.. unfortunately, Aurellia and a few others passed away due to severe injuries. The recollection of it all nearly wiped the smile off of Cosette`s face, but she caught herself. ``I can keep you company,`` she replied quietly, lowering herself down a few feet away. Her gaze drifted forward towards the entryway of the den as she attempted to catch sight of the twinkling stars above. Nature had always been breathtaking to her and that would probably never change. She didn`t say anything else for the time being, presuming that Fierce would rather be left alone for now.
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It seemed as though before he had spoken, Cosette was in some sort of trance -- or she had been asleep -- bot of which he felt bad for breaking her out of. A lot of wolves needed time to talk things out by themselves, especially something rather traumatic. Like almost being taken out by a bear. Though, Fierce wouldn't meddle in his thoughts. The brute didn't like doing such things, it kept him unfocused and overthinking things he shouldn't. As Cosette responded, telling him that her father wasn't at all as bad as others made him out to be, he nodded with a chuckle. "Well, that's good to know." Fierce knew it was more likely that once he was healed, he'd be asked to leave. Though, he wasn't too sure. Perhaps he'd done enough to be accepted. The brute seemed to have already swooned the "princess" or sorts. Why not continue this little charade? Fierce had no idea about how her mother had died. Though, he didn't know she was even dead. In his mind, he had simply just not met her yet. Flicking his auricles about before pricking them forward once more. His broad crania laying on his paws once more as his eyes slowly shut. "I can keep you company." The brute was a bit surprised by her wanting to stay. His bright blue hues unlidding as he once again lifted his head to look over at her. "Alright.. If you want." He stated, trying to act as if he didn't truly care what she did. While he may have a little, Fierce didn't want to seem like he truly cared. Flicking his auricles back against his crania, he once again lowered his head down onto her paws. His tail flicking once to fall against his side. "Goodnight." He simply stated, allowing his eyes to lid once more as he slowly drifted off to sleep. The next morning came quickly. Darkness fading into a light that peered through the opening of the medic den, and right onto Fierce's face. Scrunching his muzzle up into a silent snarl, the brute groggily opened his eyes and lifted his head from his paws. Looking around, he'd glance at Cosette before pushing his weight upward. His auricles stayed back against his crown as he winced in pain. It was obvious the herbs from the prior night had worn off. Though, he simply just wished to walk it off. Looking down at Cosette now, he'd watch as her sides rose and fell for a moment. Peaceful... Almost too peaceful for me.. He thought for a moment. Fierce was unsure why he had stayed and helped her, and didn't just let her run off or die. Albeit, it was much too late for questions now. Limping from the den, he'd squint at the light once more before his eyes adjusted to it. Afterward, his gaze searched the camp. It was nice, quiet. It seemed everyone was close as the dens weren't too far from one another. Shifting his weight, Fierce sat down, his tail laying out behind him. What exactly and I still doing here? I should just leave.. I've already given my thanks, haven't I? Though... If they allow me to stay... I could finally have the power i've always wanted.. Looking behind him once more, his gaze peered over his shoulder back at Cosette. Was it the gods playing tricks? Had he been meant to bump into her? Was he meant to be here? Nonsense. He thought, scoffing at his own thoughts as he looked forward once more. His audits peering forward, Fierce listened to the sounds of morning nature, and watched as some other wolves appeared from inside the dens they had retreated into the night before.
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For a few moments, the dame allowed herself to angle her cranium to get a view of Fierce, her blue gaze contemplative. He seemed almost strangely at peace for now, something she found herself relaxing to as if it were reassurance of some kind; it truly was sickening how trusting and open she was with wolves she had just met, especially genuine strangers that were not from Felder originally. She smiled when he mumbled goodnight, her own voice echoing in the large space a few seconds after: ``Goodnight, Fierce.`` It was a few minutes later that Cosette eventually stirred, the sun`s rays bleeding through the entrance of the den they had rested in. Her ears flicked back until they were flattened against her skull in annoyance; she always dreaded waking up since she enjoyed the solitude and quiet that the night always granted her, unlike the one prior. Cosette tensed momentarily at the thought of the bear, her gaze snapping towards where Fierce had been resting. She nearly panicked when she realized he was gone, perhaps had even wandered off and left Felder completely. The dame hoisted herself to her paws and stretched, her pelt slightly ruffled since she had always shifted a lot while sleeping. Honestly, Cosette wasn`t entirely sure why she felt disappointed by the possibility that Fierce had left.. Maybe it was because he seemed so intriguing to her and she genuinely wanted to get to know him better. ``He`s outside, Cosi,`` one of the healer`s, an elderly she-wolf whose fur was graying at the edges, spoke up quietly from where she was organizing bundles of herbs. Cosette transfixed her gaze on her for a moment, processing the fact that she had referred to her as a nickname she barely heard anymore along with how she had also known exactly what she was thinking. The dame nodded in acknowledgment before she turned fully and walked outside. The Felder camp was as lively as ever; hunters gathered near the entrance, the territory patrols seemed to have departed earlier that morning, and the pups were yipping and playing beneath the shade of a looming tree. It was always a welcome, heartwarming sight to her. ``There you are,`` Cosette greeted Fierce as she spotted him, slowly walking up until she was a few feet away. Once again, she didn`t want to get into his personal space on accident; to her, brutes were very confusing and changed their minds on a whim constantly, which she found very annoying. ``Did you sleep well?`` The dame waited patiently for his response, staring off at the wolves moving to and fro instead of ogling at him. Besides, she couldn`t even dream of eyeing someone like that- it disgusted her. Cosette`s neutral expression brightened when she saw her sire quietly conversing with the Beta of Felder, a male that was of similar build compared to Fierce. Clearly, he had less scarring and didn`t have anything truly eye-catching about him, especially when he was more lazy if anything. That was what annoyed her beyond comprehension: it was the male`s lineage that had allowed him to become Beta, not his actions. She found it all ridiculous, if she were to be honest.
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The pack seemed to be well put together. Even with how seemingly large they were, they ran like a well oiled machine. Fierce observed as wolves made their way to their spots, groups leaving on patrols or hunts, singular females tending to pups or elders. Everyone had their own thing, and they knew exactly what to do. It was odd to watch, but fascinating at the same time. "There you are," Flicking his auricles backward toward the voice, Fierce didn't have to look to know who it was. After a moment, he'd turn his head to look at her -- wondering why she hadn't just came up beside him and sat down -- but brushed the thought aside for now. "Afriad I ran away?" He questioned with a playful tone, a sheepish grin forming onto his maw as he looked back out at her pack. As she asked how he slept, Fierce shrugged. "It was alright.. Pain doesn't allow ease. So, I can assume you understand why it wasn't any better than most nights." He kept his sentences to the point, leaving room for lots of grey areas most of the time. Though, he couldn't quite care. Fierce wasn't one that liked conversation a lot, so, would simply just be straight forward and too the point, getting statements done and over with. Looking around at the wolves, his gaze soon caught on the brute from last night; Cosette's sire. The brute sat beside a wolf of similar stature to Fierce himself, though looked a lot less fun. Flicking his auricles toward Cosette for a moment, he'd simply perk them back forward afterward. Almost as if signalling he was listening to anything she had to say even if he weren't looking at her. Though -- is curiousity got the best of him and he looked over at her, "Who is that with your father? Seems like a rather... important conversation." He stated with a small head tilt.
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